Former Isiolo South MP Abdi Tepo denies possession of fake US dollars, illegal gun

Former Isiolo South MP Abdi Koropu Tepo was Monday charged before Milimani Law Courts with possession of 34,200 fake US dollars and an unlicensed Ceska pistol.

Appearing before Chief Magistrate Bernard Ochoi, Koropu denied five charges of possessing forged bank notes, owning 300 pieces of paper intended to resemble a special paper used in making Euro currency notes, and owning a firearm and ammunition without a license.

The Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) through James Gachoka informed court that on July 25, 2024, in Donholm estate, Nairobi, the former lawmaker was allegedly found in possession of 34,200 fake US dollars in one hundred denominations (equivalent to Sh4,455,234)

In the second count, he was charged with allegedly making 300 pieces of paper intended to resemble and pass as papers used for making Euro currency notes.

He also denied having a pistol, Ceska CZ 75, without a valid license from the Firearm Licencing Board.

The ex-MP was also accused of allegedly being in possession of 80 rounds of ammunition, 9 mm caliber, without a license.

The last charge stated that he neglected and failed to renew his firearm certificate.

Karopu's lawyer Eric Theuri urged the court to release him on lenient bond terms saying he was out on a police cash bail of Sh100,000 and he turned up in court to answer the charges against him.

"The accused herein is a former MP and a law-abiding citizen who undertakes to comply with the bond terms that will be imposed," Theuri who is former president of the Law Society of Kenya, told court.

However, State prosecutor Gachoka did not oppose the bail application by the former lawmaker.

Chief Magistrate Ochoi freed the accused on Ksh100,000 cash bail.

The case will be mentioned on August 12, 2024 for pre-trial.